The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-26
A CASE FOR SURGICAL STUDY.
Malignant Cancer Followed by Gangrene-
A Foot and Log Separated by Nature

Malignant Cancer Followed by Gangrene-
Foot and Leg Separated by Nature.
Union City (Pa.) Correspondence Pitssbnrg CONNER
The medical fraternity of this city have
wonderful of senile ganerene, which has
been reported to the Philadelphia Medical and
Surgical Reporter for July, by Dr. Clarence G.
Holister, and which cannot fail to interest the
medical fraternity. Mr.. Lorenzo Button. who
resides the city, is about sixty wears Of age
and has for many years suffered from cancer
on the right cheek which took malignant form
about two and half years ago. The patient
was averse to surgical interference and failed to
call on any medical gentlemen for assistance
til the disease had progressed so far as to make
interference useless. The cancer has frequently
bled profusely as to bring him almost to
deaths door.
On October It, 1885, he was seizen with ex-
crucating PAIN commencing In the right knee
and extending the foot and ankle. Il
with difficulty he could keep quiet moment,
and at several times remarked that he would
rather die than suffer such pain for thirty con-
secutive minutes which, coming from a man
who has suffered 80 much, meant great deal. No
swelling or heat or loss of temperature could be
discovered in the affected part until the follow
ing day, when slight GOODNESS of the feet, ex-
tending from the toes about half way to the
ankle, was noticed Morphine hypodermlcaly
administered relieved the pain. The physician
informed the family that gangrene was to be
feared, and subsequent events proved that his
fears were we'll grounded as there Immediately
supervene6 that peculiar pathological phenome-
non, death OK the extremity. followed by won
the dead from the living tissue with reparative
process entirely unlocked for in patient
duced in blood, and in one so saturated with can
cerous poison. as evidenced by the malignant
growth with its accompanying manifestation of
the cancerous cachexy
The condition being one of dry gangrene moth
ing could be done but to use the best tonic
remedies and opiates to control the pain. Com
mencing at the toes the gangrene gradually ex-
tended upward to within about three or four
inches of the knee joint, at which joint the line
of became eighteen
days after the first symptoms of pain. This
line extended quite around the leg Above it
for distance of about two inches distinct cold
ness was perceptible. Before the first week had
elapsed the extremity cold half way to the
knees. The toes became mummihed and Doggy
and the foot and leg swollen. Remarkably
slight systemic disturbances followed these
changes The patient ate and slept. and up to
the present time talks nationally of the disease,
occasionally joking about it.
Other physicians were called in consultation,
and all agreed that it very doubtful If the
patient would live long enough for nature to
complete the process she had begun. Certainly
if nature, hampered with such a com APPLICATION of
diseases existed in this case, could complete
the process necessary for the successful separa-
ton of this poor mans leg, her powers would be
greatly elevated in the opinion of the medical
fraternity. How well she performed her part is
now plainly seen. On Nov. the condition of
the foot and leg was progressing The patient
was weaker, but still strong as to cause sur
prise all On the 10Th of November he
still able TO sit up in bed The leg and foot
touch sense Of extreme thickness. There
an opening the outer line of demarcation,
from which large quantities of thick pus dis
charged The cancer the face caused the pa
tient much pain, with frequent hemorrhages.
The odor from the face and leg was almost
bearable.
At the present time the amputation is COM
plete. with the exception of the bones of the leg,
and they now nearly separated, and the foot
and leg will probably drop off in few days.
The stump is perfect. Lscey skinned over, and
for all purposes fine any made by a surgeon.
In recapltulating this wonderful cure, DIR. Hol
lister says 'iWs have patient sixty years old
who has suffered two and one-half years from u
malignant cancer of the face, and had been
brought by weak analmic condition by severe
and frequent hemorhsges. Suddenly attacked
with senile gangrene, he yet bids fair to live